Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given a detailed fitness update ahead of the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Swansea City on Wednesday evening.
The Blues’ unbeaten streak ended at nine games in all competitions following a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, where Matty Cash’s 19th-minute strike proved decisive. Despite the loss, Guardiola remains confident as City prepare for another busy stretch of fixtures across domestic and European competitions.
Rodri Still Recovering
City’s influential midfielder Rodri has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained earlier this month against Brentford. However, Guardiola confirmed that the Spaniard is not quite ready to feature against Swansea City.
“(Rodri) still is not ready,” Guardiola said. “He’s getting better and training with us partially, but after two muscular injuries, we need to see how he evolves this week.”
Haaland Expected to Be Rested
Erling Haaland suffered a heavy collision with the goalpost during the game against Aston Villa. Guardiola offered reassurance regarding the Norwegian striker’s condition but hinted that he could be rested for the trip to Wales.
“Erling, I didn’t see him today but it was just a knock. Day by day, he’s getting better,” Guardiola stated. “We’ll train this afternoon and see exactly how he feels.”
Khusanov Set for Return
Abdukodir Khusanov has been declared fit to play after missing several weeks through injury. The Uzbekistan international has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in September but could get minutes in Wednesday’s match.
“Khusa (Khusanov) is ready to play a few minutes tomorrow,” Guardiola confirmed during his press conference.
Other Squad Updates
Rayan Aït-Nouri is also expected to feature after recovering from the injury that sidelined him since August. Guardiola said, “He’s ready. He’s fit and available.”
In attack, Omar Marmoush could be handed his first start since recovering from a long-term injury. “Omar had a long injury and step by step, he’s getting minutes. His impact around the box and his movements are exceptional,” Guardiola said.
Kalvin Phillips could make the squad but may not start. The midfielder, who last featured in the Carabao Cup third-round win over Huddersfield, will “maybe” travel with the team to Wales, according to Guardiola.
Fixture Outlook
Following their clash with Swansea City, Manchester City will face a demanding run of fixtures, including matches against Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool as they aim to maintain momentum in all competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Rodri available for the Swansea City match?
A: No, Rodri is still recovering from a hamstring injury but has returned to partial training.
Q: Will Erling Haaland play against Swansea?
A: Guardiola suggested that Haaland might be rested following a knock suffered against Aston Villa.
Q: Has Abdukodir Khusanov returned from injury?
A: Yes, Khusanov is fit again and could feature for a few minutes in the Carabao Cup game.
Q: Who else could return to action for Manchester City?
A: Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are both available, while Kalvin Phillips could make the bench.
Q: What matches are coming up next for City?
A: After Swansea, City face Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool in quick succession.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s press conference brought mixed news for Manchester City supporters, with Rodri still sidelined but key returns on the horizon. The manager’s decision to potentially rest Erling Haaland underscores the importance of rotation ahead of a busy schedule. With Khusanov, Aït-Nouri, and Marmoush back in contention, City look to bounce back strongly as they chase silverware on multiple fronts this season.
